Large Antique Enamel Dish from Longwy, 1940s

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Description

Founded in 1798 in Lorraine, the Longwy factory is one of the few French earthenware manufacturers to have continuously maintained … Read more Founded in 1798 in Lorraine, the Longwy factory is one of the few French earthenware manufacturers to have continuously maintained the technique of hand-applied cloisonné enamel on earthenware.

Each piece is individually decorated: the enamels are applied in several layers within partitions drawn with slip, then fired at high temperature, giving the surfaces their characteristic relief and deep luster. The turquoise background, the factory's emblematic color since the 19th century, is obtained using a specific enamel formula developed in Longwy, directly inspired by oriental ceramics—Turkish iznik and Persian celadon—discovered at the World's Fairs of the second half of the 19th century.

This large circular dish features an all-over decoration arranged in two registers. The border, set against a deep turquoise background, is covered in a dense network of brown scrolls bearing peonies and stylized flowers in pink, pale yellow, and purple, punctuated by green leaves and colored dots—a composition with a strong Japanese influence. The central medallion, in a cream reserve with a crackled background and bordered by a scalloped cobalt blue line, depicts two swallows in flight around a bouquet of polychrome chrysanthemums and daisies. The reverse features a wide, crackled turquoise border.

The background bears the green stamp "Hand-decorated / Longwy Enamels / France" with the Huart coat of arms featuring a holly leaf, surrounded by ten Crosses of Lorraine—a mark used from 1900 to 1955—as well as the inscription "Hand-enhanced" and the initials likely attributed to Simone Masson, an enamel enhancer active at the factory in the 1940s and 1950s. This piece has an attribution mark,
I am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
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